Water storage capabilities have been a long-running issue in Las Vegas for years. On Tuesday, Gov. Susana Martinez signed a bill appropriating $10 million to increase the storage capacity of Bradner Reservoir. The signing was part of a celebration on at Plaza Park. Martinez said that although the amount falls short of the city’s goal of $16 million, she has a plan for the additional $6 million. The signed bill is an $89 million capital outlay bill to improve the dilapidated drinking water infrastructure throughout the state.

Barring an unlikely challenge from a third-party, independent or write-in candidate, San Miguel County Clerk Melanie Rivera will sail into office as a magistrate judge, facing no opposition in the June primary or November’s general election.

Rivera, a Democrat, is the only candidate who filed Tuesday to run for San Miguel County’s Division 2 magistrate post.

That seat is currently held by Chris Najar, who is retiring when his term ends on Dec. 31.

The primary election is on June 3, with the general election taking place in November.

The Associated Press
SANTA FE — The Obama administration reports about 15,000 New Mexicans have signed up for health insurance plans through a federal online marketplace during its first five months of operation.

The enrollment figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed about 3,400 people signed up during February. Open enrollment ends this month.

New Mexico is using the federally operated website to enroll individuals. Businesses can enroll through a state-run exchange.

Editor’s note: This article is being reprinted with the permission of The Free Lance-Star.

By Keith Epps
The Free Lance-Star

A Stafford County, Va., jury deliberated more than eight hours Wednesday without deciding whether FBI Special Agent Arthur Gonzales was justified when he killed his estranged wife last year at their home in North Stafford.

RIO RANCHO — Gov. Susana Martinez signed a $6 billion state budget on Tuesday, but she eliminated pay raises for judges, district attorneys and appointed government workers.

Martinez cut spending about $27 million with line-item vetoes, including $2.4 million that lawmakers had provided for 8 percent salary increases for judges and district attorneys and about 3 percent raises for workers in appointed government positions.